Septic to Sewer Conversions
Changing your septic system to convert to being attached to the local utility district's sewer system does not need to be a stressful project.
Why would a homeowner want to move from a septic system to a sewer system?
1. Convenience. Once installed, a sewer system does not require regular maintenance. Depending on the usage of the septic tank, septic tanks can require maintenance every few years.
2. Property value. While the advantages and disadvantages of septic vs sewer are somewhat subjective, the property value of a home may increase after connecting to a sewer system.
3. Legal reasons. In some areas, local governments require residents to retire their septic systems and connect to the public sewer system.
4. Developmental opportunities. An existing septic tank may be insufficient for property development or expansion. A septic tank is limited in its capacity to handle frequent use. Additionally, structures cannot be built on top of a septic tank or drain field.
Steps to switch from septic to sewer:
1. Switching from septic to sewer is going to involve the local municipality. This means there will be three parties involved in the project: The homeowner, the local municipality, and Cascade Utilities. When a home transitions from septic to sewer it’s moving from a private system to a public system. Because of this, the local municipality is involved through the verification of plans and on-site inspections. Cascade Utilities has built a relationship with local municipalities and will orchestrate all on-site inspections directly.2. Before work can begin the homeowner is responsible for contacting their local sewer district to inquire about the process. After verifying the requirements and whether a sewer connection is available, the homeowner shall take the necessary steps to acquire a side sewer permit. These steps may include filling out the necessary application and paying all necessary fees. 3. While permitting is taking place, Cascade Utilities arranges for existing buried utilities to be located to help prevent damage during excavation. 4. As work commences, Cascade Utilities aims to: minimize disruption to the homeowner’s property, minimize the amount of time the homeowner is without access to plumbing, and complete the work as specified by the local municipality.
5. Cascade Utilities starts by digging up the sewer outflow from the house to the septic tank. This line will eventually be cut and tied onto for the new side sewer line (see photo 1). If a connection point is not already installed on or near the property, it may become necessary to tap the sewer main. Sewer mains are generally deep and located under the road. This means that hooking up to the sewer main may require additional permits, excavation within concrete or asphalt surfaces, shoring, traffic control and the restoration of any hard surfaces or disturbed areas. Cascade Utilities will discuss this possibility, if it is necessary, during the estimation and pre-construction process.6. Once the connection is complete, we can work on proper disposal of the old septic tank. This involves pumping out remaining wastewater, breaking up the tank, then backfilling with approved material and compacting the area (see photo 2). 7. Clean Up: Cascade Utilities strives to leave every work site free of construction debris and ready for the customers to landscape. This means the removal of cut pipes and other construction related trash, voids filled and graded, and organic and dirt spoils ready for disposal.
What is a septic tank?
A septic tank collects all plumbing waste for a house and disperses it through a drain field on the property. The sanitization of waste is accomplished by anaerobic bacteria in the tank, as well as soil filtration and additional microbial processes in the ground. Compared to a sewer system, septic tanks can be cheaper to maintain, and provide the homeowner with independence from their utility district.
What causes septic tank failures?
While septic tanks are designed to automatically filter sewage and disperse the waste throughout a yard, septic tanks can break and require routine maintenance. Common failure reasons include:1. Maintenance. When a septic tank is not pumped every 3-5 years (dependent on usage and size of tank) solids may accumulate, preventing movement into the drain field. 2. Use. Flushing items such as dental floss and wet wipes or excessive use of the garbage disposal can clog the septic tank.
3. Weight. Drain fields are often buried only a few feet below the ground. It’s common for homeowners who have heavy machinery drive over their yard to experience issues.
How do I know if my septic tank is broken?
A septic tank has two main components: the tank, and the drain field. This means that a failure of a septic tank may initially go unnoticed because the entire system can spread out over a large area in a yard. A random puddle in your yard may not seem connected to the septic tank, however, drain fields can spread drainage hundreds of feet from the tank itself. There are three indicators that your septic tank is broken: smell, puddles, and indoor fixtures.
1. Smell. If you are experiencing sewage smell either outside OR inside the house, there may be a problem with the septic tank. A smell inside the house indicates that the septic tank itself is not properly filtering waste into the drain field. There may be a blockage of solids in the tank preventing movement through the system and causing smell to come back up into the house. A smell outside the house means that sewage is seeping out of the tank before the bacterial processes have had a chance to break it down. This likely indicates that the septic tank itself has a crack or leak and sewage is being released into the yard prematurely.
2. Puddles. Puddles are not a definitive method to determine septic problems because there may be other factors that can contribute to the pooling of water. However, there are several ways to deduce whether puddles are a result of septic problems. Firstly, it’s helpful to understand the location of the tank and drain field. If the puddle is not close to the drain field or to the tank, it is likely there is a different drainage problem (Cascade Utilities can help with that too!) Secondly, lush green grass around the puddle may indicate that the puddle is septic water. Septic water can act as a fertilizer for the grass, resulting in an area of the yard that is greener than everywhere else.
3. Indoor fixtures. As mentioned before, a smell inside the home coming from the indoor fixtures (toilets and sinks) is an indicator of septic issues. In addition to smell, gurgling noises originating from fixtures may indicate that pipes are not properly draining. The most obvious sign is when sewage backs up into the home. If any of these potential indicators of a septic failure sound familiar, it’s probably time for septic tank maintenance. Depending on the issue, the septic tank may need to be pumped, drain field replaced, completely removed, and replaced, or switched to a sewer system.
If you are having any of these issues, give us a call so we can help you assess and discuss options.